Device for packaging and dispensing a product, notably a liquid cosmetic product

ABSTRACT

The device for packaging and dispensing a product comprises a container (12) delimiting an internal reservoir (20) for storing said product, a screen (14) that is secured to the container and comprises a wall (36) provided with at least one dispensing through-orifice (38) in direct fluidic communication with the internal reservoir (20) of the container, and a closure member (16) that is movable between an open position and at least one closed position of said dispensing orifice and of the internal reservoir of the container. A metering chamber (18) for metering said product is delimited axially between the wall (36) of the screen that is provided with said dispensing orifice and a wall (54) of the closure member in said closed position. At least one of said walls (36, 54) of the screen and of the closure member comprises a plurality of reliefs (58) projecting into the metering chamber (18).

The present invention relates to a device for packaging and dispensing a product, notably a liquid cosmetic product.

The expression “cosmetic product” is understood to mean any product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 Nov. 2009 on cosmetic products.

The device is intended more particularly for packaging and dispensing a liquid or fluid cosmetic product that is intended to be applied to a human keratin surface, such as the skin, the lips or the hair.

The development of formulations devoted to making up and/or caring for the skin and/or lips and/or eyes and/or for haircare, having satisfactory properties in terms of application, of comfort, of wear property and of coverage, but also in terms of make-up effect, such as for example the sheen, is an ongoing objective.

Numerous packaging devices have been developed to enable satisfactory application of such fluid or liquid products.

For example, the patent application FR-A1-3 041 510 may be cited, which describes a packaging and application device comprising a body that forms a reservoir containing the liquid cosmetic product, and also a removable applicator comprising an applicator member for applying said product. The device also comprises a screen that is secured to the body and comprises a perforated wall having a plurality of orifices in direct communication with the reservoir of said body. In the closed position of the applicator, the applicator member of the applicator shuts off the orifices in the screen so as to prevent any leak of product therethrough.

By shaking or turning over the device, the liquid cosmetic product passes through the orifices in the screen and is deposited, notably by impregnation, on the application surface of the applicator member of the applicator. The applicator can then be detached from the body in order to apply the product. In order for it to be possible to meter the product and avoid any overloading of the applicator, the orifices in the screen are arranged locally at the bottom of the concave housing of the body holding the applicator.

In order, before application, to precisely control the quantity of product with which the applicator will be loaded and, if necessary, to increase this quantity of product, the patent US-B1-6,447,191 recommends leaving a space between the perforated wall of the screen and the applicator member of the applicator, this space forming a metering chamber for metering the product.

In practice, such a device is generally limited to the packaging of a cosmetic product that exhibits relatively high viscosity, such that the product does not return to the interior of the reservoir through the orifices before the applicator is impregnated.

The present invention aims to remedy this drawback.

The subject of the invention is a device for packaging and dispensing a product, notably a liquid cosmetic product, comprising a container delimiting an internal reservoir for storing said product, a screen that is secured to the container and comprises a wall provided with at least one dispensing through-orifice in direct fluidic communication with the internal reservoir of the container, and a closure member that is movable between an open position and at least one closed position of said dispensing orifice and of the internal reservoir of the container.

According to a first general feature, a metering chamber for metering said product is delimited axially between the wall of the screen that is provided with said dispensing orifice and a wall of the closure member in said closed position of the closure member.

According to a second general feature, at least one of said walls of the screen and of the closure member comprises a plurality of reliefs projecting into the metering chamber.

The expression “screen secured to the container” means that the screen is fixed with respect to the container. The screen may comprise at least one part attached to the container. Alternatively, the screen may be produced in one piece with the container, for example by moulding.

The expression “dispensing orifice in direct fluidic communication with the reservoir” means that said orifice is in permanent communication with the reservoir and is not combined with a selective dispensing means of the pump or valve type that makes it possible to force the product to pass through said orifice.

The “metering chamber” means at least one empty space which is situated axially between the wall of the screen and the wall of the closure member with respect to a longitudinal axis of the container, and which is able to be filled with product coming from the internal reservoir of the container that passes through the dispensing orifice(s) in the wall of the screen.

The metering chamber is filled by simple shaking, or by turning over the device such that the container is situated above the closure member. When the container is produced in the form of a tube with a deformable flexible wall, the filling of the metering chamber can be obtained by pressure exerted on this wall.

The metering chamber forms, between the reservoir and the closure member, a buffer zone or space, the size of which corresponds to a predetermined metered quantity of product. The dispensing orifice(s) in the wall of the screen are thus in permanent communication with the metering chamber regardless of the position of the closure member. In other words, the dispensing orifice(s) are not shut off by the closure member in the closed position(s) of said member.

With regard to the reliefs protruding into the metering chamber, said reliefs facilitate the retention of the product inside said chamber.

Specifically, compared with a design without such reliefs, the reliefs substantially increase the area inside the metering chamber that is able to retain the product by capillary action or surface tension effect. This makes it possible to retain more fluid at the surface inside the metering chamber after the device has been shaken or turned over and before the product which has been metered into said chamber is applied.

With the aid of an applicator, the product metered into the metering chamber can be picked up in a pattern that is the reverse of that of the reliefs. When the applicator used has a brush, the reliefs space apart the bristles of the brush, which are then held by capillary action by the product picked up in the metering chamber.

As indicated above, the metering chamber makes it possible to precisely meter the quantity of product coming from the reservoir of the container. The volume of the chamber is fixed when a single closed position is provided for the closure member. However, it may be possible to provide several closed positions for said member such that the user can vary the volume of the metering chamber depending on the desired quantity of product.

Preferably, the reliefs of said wall bear axially against said other wall in the closed position of the closure member. Therefore, there is no product covering the ends of the reliefs after the metering chamber has been filled with the product. The distribution of the product inside the filling chamber is then realized in the form of a more distinct pattern.

In one particular embodiment, the reliefs are in the form of concentric ribs with an annular overall shape. This design is particularly advantageous when the applicator used has a brush, since the bristles of the brush then take on a shape complementary to that of these ribs.

According to this particular embodiment, each rib can be continuous in the circumferential direction or be realized by a succession of protrusions spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction.

Alternatively, it is, of course, possible to provide other arrangements of the reliefs, for example a cross shape, a star shape, etc., or to provide a random distribution of these reliefs.

According to one advantageous design, the metering chamber is radially delimited by at least one sealing skirt of the wall of the screen, which presses axially against the wall of the closure member.

Preferably, the metering chamber is radially delimited by a sealing skirt of the wall of the closure member, which fits together in a leaktight manner with the sealing skirt of the wall of the screen in said closed position. The cooperation of these skirts makes it possible to avoid leaks of product out of the metering chamber when the closure member is in the closed position.

To this end, it is also possible to equip the closure member with an additional sealing skirt which is separate from said sealing skirt(s) and which fits in a leaktight manner over the screen in said closed position of said closure member.

In one particular embodiment, the wall of the screen has a flat shape. Alternatively, the wall of the screen may have a concave shape on the side of the closure member. In this case, it is possible to distribute the reliefs over the wall of the screen in different radial planes with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container.

The closure member may comprise an applicator for applying said product. Alternatively, the applicator may be a separate element of the device.

According to a first design of the device, the closure member comprises an end wall forming said wall, which delimits the metering chamber together with the wall of the screen. The reliefs are preferably provided on the wall of the screen. However, it remains possible for the reliefs to be disposed on the end wall of the closure member. In another variant, the reliefs could be provided both on the wall of the screen and on the end wall of the closure member.

According to a second design, an applicator member of the applicator of the device defines said wall that delimits the metering chamber together with the wall of the screen. With such a design, the applicator member makes it possible to delimit the metering chamber in the closed position of the closure member, and also to apply the product metered into this chamber. Thus, the applicator member makes it possible to ensure a dual function.

In one particular embodiment, the wall of the screen is rigid. A “rigid wall” means a wall which, on account of the material used and/or the dimensions thereof, does not deform substantially under the action of a load applied to this wall directly by the user or indirectly by way of the closure member.

In one particular embodiment, the closure member is fastened removably to the screen, or to the container, by any appropriate means, for example by screwing, snap-fastening, jamming, etc. Thus, said closed position corresponds to a mounted position of the closure member and the open position corresponds to an entirely removed position of the screen, or of the container.

Alternatively, it is possible to provide for the closure member to be mounted so as to be rotatable about an articulation axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the container. This articulation axis may be formed by a film hinge. The closure member may be rotationally articulated on the screen or on the container. With this alternative design, the closure member remains secured to the screen and to the container in the open position.

With regard to the axial position of the wall of the screen, said wall can be housed axially inside a neck of the container. This facilitates axial compactness of the device. Alternatively, it is possible, however, to provide for the wall of the screen to be mounted axially above the neck of the container.

Advantageously, the device can be used to package cosmetic products, pharmaceutical products or dermato-pharmaceutical products, notably a liquid cosmetic that is very liquid and comprises at least two liquid phases with different densities. The liquid phases can be for example oily phases.

The present invention will be understood better from studying the detailed description of embodiments that are given by way of entirely non-limiting example and are illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a packaging and dispensing device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective half-view of the device in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the device in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a packaging and dispensing device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, and

-   -   FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the screen of a packaging and         dispensing device according to a third exemplary embodiment of         the invention.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a device for packaging and dispensing a product, denoted by the overall reference numeral 10, which comprises a container 12 for storing said product (not shown), a screen 14 secured to the container, and a closure member 16 that is fastened removably to the screen. The container 12, the screen 14 and the closure member 16 are each preferably made in one piece, i.e. integrally, by moulding a thermoplastic material. The closure member 16 is in this case in the form of a cap.

As will be described in more detail below, a metering chamber 18 for metering the product is delimited by the screen 14 and the closure member 16, this chamber being in direct fluidic communication with the container 12. The screen 14 is also especially configured to facilitate the retention of product inside this chamber 18.

The storage container 12 extends along a geometrically longitudinal, in this case vertical, axis X-X′. On its inside, the container 12 delimits an internal reservoir 20 for storing the cosmetic product. The container 12 comprises an end that forms an end wall and an opposite open end that forms a neck 22. The neck 22 is separated from the perimeter of the container by an annular shoulder. The free upper edge of the container 12 delimits an access opening to the reservoir 20. More specifically, the neck 22 delimits this opening.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the container 12 has a circular cross section. In a variant, the container 12 can have a polygonal, notably square, cross section or an oval cross section. Alternatively, the container 12 could also be in the form of a tube with a deformable wall.

The screen 14 is mounted on the neck 22. To this end, the neck 22 is provided on the outside with a snap-fastening ridge 24 to which the screen 14 is coupled. Alternatively, the screen 14 may be fastened to the container 12 by any other appropriate coupling element, for example by screwing, by way of a tight fit, etc.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the screen 14 is produced in two separate parts that are joined together so as to facilitate manufacturing by moulding synthetic material. Alternatively, the screen 14 could be produced in one piece, however. It is conceivable to produce the container 12 and the screen 14 in one piece, for example by moulding.

The screen 14 comprises a hoop or base 26 for mounting on the container 12, and a support dish 28 attached and fastened to the base 26. The base 26, of axis X-X′, is provided on its inside with a ridge 30 that is snap-fastened onto the ridge 24 of the container so as to secure the screen to this container. The ridge 30 on the base may be continuous or discontinuous in the circumferential direction. The base 26 is in the form of an annular ring in the exemplary embodiment illustrated.

The support dish 28, of axis X-X′, delimits on its inside a housing or compartment 32 that receives the closure member 16. The compartment 32 is axially open on the opposite side from the container 12. The support dish 28 comprises an annular peripheral wall 34 that extends axially, and a separating wall 36 that extends radially inwards from said peripheral wall. The compartment 32 is delimited axially by the separating wall 36, and radially by the peripheral wall 34.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the peripheral wall 34 extends partially inside the neck 22 of the container and axially outside said neck. The peripheral wall 34 presses axially against the neck 22 of the container in order to shut off the reservoir 20 of the container and prevent any leak of product between the latter and the screen 14. Alternatively, the screen 14 could be equipped with an annular sealing skirt that extends from the peripheral wall 34 and fits in a leaktight manner in the bore in the neck 22 of the container. The peripheral wall 34 is centred on the axis X-X′. The peripheral wall 34 has a circular cross section. Alternatively, it may be possible to provide a polygonal, notably square, cross section or an oval cross section.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the separating wall 36 extends from the lower end of the peripheral wall 34. The separating wall 36 thus forms an end wall of the dish 28, and more generally of the screen 14. The separating wall 36 is delimited axially by an upper face 36 a oriented axially towards the closure member 16, and an opposite lower face 36 b which is oriented axially towards the reservoir 20 of the container. The separating wall 36 has a substantially constant thickness. The separating wall 36 is flat in this case. Alternatively, the separating wall 36 could be curved.

The separating wall 36 comprises a plurality of dispensing through-holes 38 made in its thickness. The orifices 38 make it possible to put the interior of the reservoir 20 of the container into communication with the metering chamber 18 delimited by the screen 14 and the closure member 16.

The support dish 28 also comprises an annular sealing skirt 40 that extends axially from the separating wall 36. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the skirt 40 is fitted together with the closure member 16 in a leaktight manner. The sealing skirt 40 extends axially from the upper face 36 a of the separating wall. The dispensing orifices 38 are made in the separating wall 36 in a manner offset radially towards the inside with respect to the skirt 40.

The dispensing orifices 38 can be arranged in different ways over the separating wall 36 of the screen. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the wall 36 comprises in this case a central orifice 38 and concentric rings of orifices 38, the orifices in one ring being spaced apart regularly from one another in the circumferential direction. Of course, other arrangements of the orifices over the separating wall 36 may be conceivable. By way of example, an arrangement in a star-shaped pattern or a random distribution of the orifices is possible, for example. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the orifices 38 have a cylindrical shape with a constant diameter. Alternatively, the orifices 38 can have other shapes, for example a conical shape, or have a polygonal cross section, or be in the form of slots. The cross section of the orifices 38 may also be variable.

As indicated above, the closure member 16 is fastened to the screen 14 in a removable manner. Referring again to FIG. 1, the closure member 16 comprises an annular peripheral mounting skirt 42 which is provided on its inside with a thread 44 engaged with a corresponding thread 46 formed at an upper end of the peripheral wall 34 of the screen. Alternatively, the closure member 16 may be fastened to the screen 44 in a removable manner by any other appropriate coupling element, for example by snap-fastening, by way of a tight fit, etc.

The closure member 16 also comprises an annular sealing skirt 48 that is fitted in a leaktight manner in the bore in the upper end of the peripheral wall 34 of the screen. The skirt 48 extends axially. The mounting skirt 42 radially surrounds the sealing skirt 48. An annular space is delimited radially between the skirts 42, 48. The upper end of the peripheral wall 34 of the screen is fitted into this annular space.

The closure member 16 also comprises an upper-end front wall 50 from which the skirts 42 and 48 extend, and an annular inner wall 52 that likewise extends from said front wall in a manner offset radially inwards with respect to the sealing skirt 48. The skirt 48 partially surrounds the inner wall 52 radially. The inner wall 52 extends axially beyond the skirt 48 in the direction of the separating wall 36 of the screen, while remaining axially at a distance therefrom.

The closure member 16 also comprises an end wall 54 that extends the inner wall 52 radially inwards, and an annular sealing skirt 56 that fits in a leaktight manner over the periphery of the skirt 40 of the screen. The skirt 56 extends axially from the lower end of the inner wall 52.

The end wall 54 in this case extends the lower end of the inner wall 52. The end wall 54 is situated axially at a distance from the separating wall 36. The end wall 54 is delimited axially by an upper face 54 a, and an opposite lower face 54 b which axially faces the separating wall 36 of the screen. The sealing skirt 40 of the screen bears axially against the lower face 54 b of the end wall. The end wall 54 has a substantially constant thickness. The end wall 54 in this case has a stepped shape.

The metering chamber 18 is delimited axially by the separating wall 36 of the screen and by the end wall 54 of the closure member. More specifically, the metering chamber 18 is delimited axially by the upper face 36 a of said separating wall and the lower face 54 b of said end wall. The metering chamber 18 is delimited radially by the sealing skirt 40 of the screen. All of the dispensing orifices 38 open into the interior of the metering chamber 18. The metering chamber 18 is in direct fluidic communication with the reservoir 20 via the dispensing orifices 38. The cooperation of the sealing skirts 40, 56 makes it possible to avoid any leak of product out of this chamber 18 when the closure member 16 is in the mounted or closed position.

As will be described in more detail below, in order to fill the metering chamber 18 with product, the user shakes or turns over the device 10.

As indicated above, the screen 14 is configured to facilitate the retention of the product inside the metering chamber 18. To this end, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the screen 14 comprises a plurality of ribs 58 projecting into the metering chamber 18 from the separating wall 36. The ribs 58 extend axially from the upper face 36 a of said wall. The ribs in this case press axially against the lower face 54 b of the end wall of the closure member. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the ribs 58 are concentric, of axis X-X′. The ribs 58 are spaced apart regularly from one another in the radial direction. The ribs 58 are offset radially inwards with respect to the sealing skirt 40 of the screen. The ribs 58 in this case have an equal axial dimension. Alternatively, the ribs 58 could have different dimensions. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the free end of the ribs 58 remains axially set back from the free end of the sealing skirt 40 of the screen. The dispensing orifices 38 are in this case arranged over the separating wall 36 such that a plurality of orifices is disposed between two adjacent ribs 58, and between the large-diameter rib 58 and the sealing skirt 40.

The device 10 is used in the following manner. In the closed position of the closure member 16, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the user shakes or turns over the device, notably in order to homogenize the fluid cosmetic product contained in the internal reservoir 20.

In the process, product flows through the dispensing orifices 38 of the screen and fills the metering chamber 18. After several shaking movements, the user detaches the closure member 16 from the screen 14. In this way, the metering chamber 18 becomes accessible to the user, who can then use an applicator separate from the device 10 in order to load it with product.

The ribs 58 which extend inside the metering chamber 18 facilitate the retention of the product inside the latter. Specifically, the ribs 58 substantially increase the retention area for the product inside the chamber 18 by capillary action or surface tension effect. Furthermore, the ribs 58 ensure a homogeneous distribution of the product in the metering chamber 18.

The user can then bring the application element of the applicator into contact with the ribs 58 and the separating wall 36 of the screen in order to pick up the cosmetic product, and can then deposit it on the body surface to be treated. When the application element of the applicator is in the form of a brush, the ribs 58 space apart the bristles, which are then held by capillary action by the product picked up in the metering chamber 18. This is particularly the case given that the annular ribs 58 are concentric.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the ribs 58 that facilitate the retention of the product inside the metering chamber 18 are provided on the separating wall 36 of the screen. Alternatively, it is possible to provide an arrangement of the ribs 58 on the end wall 54 of the closure member, as is illustrated in FIG. 4, in which identical elements bear the same references.

In the above exemplary embodiments, the closure member 16 is fastened to the screen 14 in a removable manner. Alternatively, it may be possible to provide removable fastening of the closure member 16 to the container 12, for example to the outside of the neck 22, by providing for the screen 14 to be fastened in the bore of said neck.

Alternatively, it is possible to provide other types of mounting of the closure member 16. For example, the closure member 16 could be rotationally articulated on the screen 14 by way of a hinge 70 having a hinge axis transverse to the axis X-X′. In this case, the closure member 16, the screen 14 and this hinge may be produced in one piece, by moulding a synthetic material.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated, the wall 36 of the screen 14 or the wall 54 of the closure member comprises ribs 58 for facilitating the surface retention of the product inside the metering chamber 18. Alternatively, it is possible to provide reliefs which have other shapes and/or other cross sections for realizing this function, for example spikes, and/or bosses, and/or fins, etc. For example, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, in which identical elements bear the same references, the wall 36 of the screen comprises studs 60 and protuberances 62 realized in the form of droplets. The studs 60 are arranged in this case so as to surround the central orifice 38. The protuberances 62 are in this case disposed regularly on the wall 36 in the circumferential direction with an alternation of large and small protuberances.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated, the reliefs of the walls of the screen 14 and of the closure member 16 are integral, i.e. in one piece, with said walls for reasons of ease of manufacture. Alternatively, however, it remains possible to manufacture the reliefs separately and then fasten them to these walls. It is also possible to provide flocked reliefs or reliefs that have a woven material as surface, or reliefs made of a woven material.

The invention provides a packaging and dispensing device which makes it possible to precisely control the quantity of product metered before application. Moreover, the device is suitable for packaging different types of fluid or liquid products, or products in the form of powders. 

1. Device for packaging and dispensing a product, notably a liquid cosmetic product, comprising a container delimiting an internal reservoir for storing said product, a screen that is secured to the container and comprises a wall provided with at least one dispensing through-orifice in direct fluidic communication with the internal reservoir of the container, and a closure member that is movable between an open position and at least one closed position of said dispensing orifice and of the internal reservoir of the container, a metering chamber for metering said product being delimited axially between the wall of the screen that is provided with said dispensing orifice and a wall of the closure member in said closed position, characterized in that at least one of said walls of the screen and of the closure member comprises a plurality of reliefs projecting into the metering chamber.
 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the reliefs of said wall bear axially against said other wall in said closed position of the closure member.
 3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the reliefs are in the form of concentric ribs with an annular overall shape.
 4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the metering chamber is radially delimited by at least one sealing skirt of the wall of the screen, which presses axially against the wall of the closure member.
 5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the metering chamber is delimited radially by a sealing skirt of the wall of the closure member, which fits together in a leaktight manner with the sealing skirt of the wall of the screen in said closed position.
 6. Device according to claim 4, wherein the closure member comprises an additional sealing skirt which is separate from said sealing skirt(s) and which fits in a leaktight manner over the screen in said closed position of the closure member.
 7. Device according to claim 1, wherein the wall of the screen has a flat shape.
 8. Device according to claim 1, wherein the wall of the screen has a concave shape on the side of the closure member.
 9. Device according to claim 8, wherein the reliefs are distributed over the wall of the screen in different radial planes with respect to a longitudinal axis (X-X′) of the container.
 10. Device according to claim 1, wherein the closure member comprises an applicator for applying said product.
 11. Device according to claim 10, wherein the applicator comprises an applicator member defining said wall that delimits the metering chamber together with the wall of the screen.
 12. Device according to claim 1, wherein the closure member comprises an end wall forming said wall, which delimits the metering chamber together with the wall of the screen.
 13. Device according to claim 1, wherein the wall of the screen is rigid.
 14. Device according to claim 1, wherein the closure member is fixed to the screen in a removable manner.
 15. Device according to claim 1, wherein the closure member is rotatable about an articulation axis transverse to a longitudinal axis (X-X′) of the container. 